Corpse handling device



May 21, 1957 5. J. BRENNY 2,792,945

CORPSE HANDLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 13, 1952 a Sheets-Sheet 1 k F i g. (P

Fig. J1

Stanley J. Brenn INVENT R.

BY @Mddfim Anomqs y 1957 5. J. BRENNY 2,792,945

CORPSE HANDLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 13, 195; 5 Sheecs-Sheet 2 Fig. 9

IN VEN TOR.

BY 2mm Stanley J. Brenny May 21, 1957 5. J. BRENNY 2,792,945

CORPSE HANDLING DEVICE Filed Oct. 13. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Stanley J. Brenny INVENTOR.

CORPSE HANDLING- DEVICE StanleyJ. Brenny, Holdingford, Minn.

Application October 1-3, 1952; Serial No. 314,441 4 Claims. or; 212-135 This invention relates in generah to article" handling means, and more specificallyto a hoistconstruction wliich includes means especially designed for liandling' corpse and the like;

The primary object; of this: invention is to 7 provide an improved hoist construction which i'sso constructed' and designedwhereby the: same is highly maneuverable and which may be utilized in the transferringrof alcorpse from a hospitalbed, cot,istretch'er,l table; etc:, to 'anothe'r desired positiom Another object of this invention is: torpronidel am improved hoist which. may be utilized for a ti-plnrality of purposes and which may be mounted in different-manners whereby the desired result-may beproduced'therewith;

Another object of this invention is to} provide antihiprovedhoist which is detachably connected to-support means whereby the same may beselectively suspended from an overhead track or mounted on a wheeled; base for movement to a desired-position.

Another object of this invention is to provide: improved corpse handling device whichis of a relatively simple construction and which is formed of readily obtainable material whereby the same is economically feasible.

Another object of this invention is to provide'an improved base for a portable hoist, saidbase-includingla wheel supported frame having means'for detachably supporting a hoist thereon,--said frame having also mounted thereon aremovable table, said table being convertible folr;l use as either a dressingstable or as anembalming ta e.

A further object of this invention isto provide animproved corpse handling device which includes novelcorpse engaging devices whereby a corpse may be easilypicked up and moved from one position to another.

A still further object of this invention is to'provide an improved hoist which may be detachably connected to a frame movably supported on an overhead track, said frame having means associated therewith for selectively detaching the hoist therefrom.

With these objects definitely in view, this invention resides in certain novelfeatures of construction, combination and arrangement ofelements and portions as will be hereinafter described in detail in the specification, partic'ularly pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a material part of this application and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one forrnof-"tlie coipse handling device and shows the hoist construction thereof attached to a wheeled base, corpse handling means being positioned over a table carried by thebase for raising a corpse thereon, the corpse not being illustrated, a portion of the table being broken away and shown in section'in order to clearly illustrate the construction thereof;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the corpse handling device of Figure l as viewed from the right-and'shows the general construction of both the hoist and the base,

the corpse engaging devices being omitted;

nited States Patent 2,792,945 Patented May 21, 1957 Figure'3 is a top plan view of the corpse handling device of Figure l and shows the general outline of the base thereof; corpse engaging means being omitted and the table being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view ofa modified form of the corpse handling device and shows the hoist construction ofFigure 1 attached to an overhead track;

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the corpse handling deviceo'f Figure 4 as viewed from the left;

Figure-6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 66 of Figure 5 and shows means for detachably securing the hoist construction to the supporting frame, and means for urging the hoist construction out of engagement with the supporting frame;

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of 'tongs adapted to beutilized in engaging a corpse for liftingthe same with thercorpse handling device;

Figure. 8? is an enlarged perspective view of another corpse'engaging device inwhich is adapted to be received the feet of a corpse for lifting the same; and' Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view of; athirdform of corpse: engaging device, the corpse engaging device being adapted to be mounted under the neck of'a corpse for lifting the same.

Similar characters of reference designate similar or identical? elements and portions throughout the specificationand throughout the different views of the drawings.

Referringnow to the drawings in detail, it wil'l'be seen that, there is illustrated in Figures l, 2' and 3 a preferred form ofcorpse; handling device which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The corpse handlingdevice 10 includes a wheeled base, which is referred to ingeneral by the reference numeral 12, and a hoist construction detachably mounted thereon, the hoist con struction being referred to in general by the reference numeral 14.

It will be noted that the base 12 includes a generally U -shaped frame which is formed of a pair of longitudinally extending frame members 16 which are connected at their rear ends by transverse frame member 18. Extending transversely between the two longitudinal frame members 16 adjacent the rear frame member 18 as an intermediate frame member 20. Secured to the intermediate frame member 20 symmetrically of the center thereof and extending upwardly therefrom is a pair of upright supports 22. The upright supports 22 are braced by upwardly extending diagonal braces 24 whose lower ends are con nected to the lower frame member 18 and are intended for supporting the hoist construction 14.

Secured to the longitudinal frame members 16 and extending upwardly therefrom immediately forward of the intermediate frame member 20 is a pair of spaced parallel upright supports 26. The upright supports 26 have their upper ends connected by an inverted U-shape support bar 2 8-whose legs are disposed within the upper ends of the upright supports 26. The legs of the U-shaped support bar 28 are adjustably received within the upright supports 26 whereby the same may be vertically adjusted. The upright supports 26 are braced by forwardly and downwardly extending diagonal-braces 30;

Also carried by the longitudinal frame member 16, but adjacent their forward ends, are upright supports 32. The upright supports 32 are in spaced parallel relation and have secured in their lower ends downwardly extending extensions 34. The extensions 34 are pivotally connected to their respective longitudinal frame members by horizontal pivot pins 36. Like the upright supports 26, the upright supports 32 have their upper ends connected together by an inverted U-shape support bar 38 which has legs tadjustably positioned within the upright supports32j 3 whereby the same may be vertically adjusted so as to be in the same plane as the U-shaped support bar 28.

It will be understood that the upright supports 32 are intended to be disposed in a horizontal plane at certain times for a purpose to be set forth in more detail hereinafter. In order that the same may be retained in an upright position when so desired, there is secured to the lower flanges of the longitudinal frame members 16 a pair of downwardly extending straps 40. Each of the straps 40 have pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin 42 an upwardly and forwardly extending diagonal brace 44. The upper end of the diagonal brace is provided with a removable fastener 46 for securing the same to its associated upright support 32. Each of the longitudinal frame members 16 is provided adjacent its forward end with a supporting strap 47 for supporting the forward portion of its associated diagonal brace 44 when the same is in a substantially horizontal position. It will be noted that the supporting base 12 is completed by a plurality of wheels or casters 48 which are secured to opposite ends of the longitudinal frame members 16. The wheels or casters 48 are adapted to engage a supporting surface whereby the corpse handling device 10 may be highly maneuverable.

Removably secured to the support bars of upright supports 26 and 32 is an elongated table 50. The table 50 is preferably formed of stainless steel and has a recessed surface 52 so as to form an embalming table. When the same is desired to be utilized as a dressing table, there may be provided a relatively soft insert (not shown) which will fit in the recessed portion of the table 50.

It will be noted that the hoist construction 14 includes a pair of spaced parallel tubular uprights 54. These uprights are connected together adjacent their lower ends -by a generally U-shaped strap 56 which is disposed within a horizontal plane. Slightly above the lJ-shaped strap 56 the uprights 54 are connected together by a horizontal angle member 58. The uprights 54 are further connected together at their upper ends by a flat plate 60.

Secured to the forward face of the plate 60 and extending forwardly from between the upper ends of the uprights 54 is a horizontal leg 62. The horizontal leg 62 is provided intermediate its ends with a transverse angle member 64. The transverse angle member 64 is secured to the underside of the horizontal leg 62 and has one flange thereof in parallel relation to a flange of the angle member 58.

Extending between the parallel flanges of the angle members 58 and 64 is a diagonal base 66.

Carried by forwardly extending legs of the U-shaped strap 56 is a drum 68 of a winch. The drum 68 is provided with a driven gear 70 which has intermeshed therewith a worm drive gear 72. The worm drive gear 72 is mounted on a shaft 74 which extends between legs of a U-shaped strap 76 carried by one of the uprights '4. The forward end of the shaft 74 is provided with a crank 78 to facili tate the rotation of the drum 68.

It will be seen that the horizontal leg 62 is tubular with open ends and that the plate 60 has mounted on the rear surface thereof a pulley 80 whose upper portion is in alignment with the interior of the horizontal legs 62. The pulley 80 is mounted on suitable mounting brackets 82 carried by the plate 60.

Secured at therforward end of the horizontal leg 62 is an inverted U-shaped strap 84 which has downwardly extending legs 86. Extending between the legs 86 and se cured thereto is a shaft 88 on which is mounted a pulley 90. The upper portion of the pulley 90 is aligned with the center of the horizontal leg 62 and the upper portion of the pulley 80.

Reeled on the winch with one end thereof secured to the drum 68 is a flexible member 92. The flexible member 92 passes upwardly and slightly rearwardly into engage" ment with the pulley 80. The flexible member 92 then passes over the pulley 80 and through the horizontal leg 62. The flexible member 92 passes over the forward end .nected thereto.

of the horizontal leg 62 and downwardly over the pulley in the form of a loop, and its other end is connected to a depending strap 94 carried by the horizontal leg 62 adjacent the forward end thereof. The looped portion of the flexible member 92 has mounted thereon a hook assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 96.

The hook assembly 96 includes a U-shaped bracket 93 which has swivelly connected thereto the upper end of a hook 100. Extending between upstanding legs of the U-shaped bracket 98 is a pin 102 on which is mounted a pulley 103. The pulley 103 has passed around the same the loop portion of the flexible member 92 and is supported thereby.

Removably secured to the hook is a corpse supporting bar 104. The corpse supporting bar 104 is in the form of a girder which includes an upper chord member 106 and a lower chord member 108 which are connected together by vertical web members 110. It will be noted that the upper chord 106 has end portions thereof which extend downwardly and outwardly and that the same are integral with the end portions of the lower chord 108. The adjoining portions of the two chords are in engagement and bent upwardly and outwardly to form corpse engaging device supporting hooks 112.

Referring now to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that the hoist construction 14, which is a separate element from the supporting base 12, is detachably con- The uprights 54 are in alignment with the vertical uprights 22 and are connected thereto by telescope pins 114 carried by the vertical uprights 22. When it is desired to remove the hoist construction 14 from the supporting base 12, the same is merelymoved vertically with respect thereto.

Referring now to Figure 7 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated tongs which are referred to in general by the reference numeral 116. The tongs 116 are adapted to be mounted on either one of the hooked ends 112 of the corpse lifting bar 104 or secured to the lower chord 108 thereof in alignment with the hook 100. The tongs 116 include a pair of crossed J -shaped members 118 which are pivotally connected intermediate their ends by a transverse pivot pin 120. The lower and free ends of the J-shaped members 118 are provided with relatively wide corpse engaging plates 122. Pivotally connected to the upper ends of the J-shaped members 118 by pivot pins 124 are straps 126. The straps 126 have their upper ends pivotally connected together by a pivot pin 128 which also connects a hook 130 thereto. The hook 130 is adapted for use in engaging the tongs 116 with the corpse lifting bar 104.

The tongs 116 may be utilized in the lifting of a corpse by clamping the same about its mid-section and lifting directly while the tongs are in alignment with the hook 100. Also, if desired the tongs 116 may be utilized to en-= gage a corpse in the vicinity of the neck while feet of the corpse are engaged by a corpse handling device which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 132 disposed at the other end of the corpse lifting bar 104.

Referring now to Figure 8 in particular, it will be seen that the corpse handling device 132 is in the form of a generally rectangular hoop 134 which has a curved top member 136. The curved top member 136 has extending upwardly from the central portion thereof a hook 138 which is adapted to engage the corpse lifting bar 104. It is intended that the feet of a corpse be passed through the hoop 134 with the legs resting upon a lower member 140 thereof in supporting engagement with the legs while the tongs 116 engaging the neck portion of the same for lifting the corpse.

Referring now to Figure 9 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a third form of corpse handling device which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 142. The corpse handling device is formed of two pieces and includes a C-shaped member which is it's freewenda Theiupper horizontal rnmber 148 is intgfalwith averticalmember 152 wh'ich'is in turn integral atuits lower end with a lower horizontal member 154. Tlie ffe end of the lower horizontalmember 154 is in thefoir'n ofahook 156. i r 1 The L-shaped member 146 includes an upper horizontal portion 158 which terminates in an eyelet 169 similar to the eyelet 150. Integral with the upper horizontal portion is a vertical portion 162 whose lower end terminates in an eyelet 164. The eyelet 164 is adapted to receive the hook portion 156 of the lower horizontal portion of the 'C-shaped member 144 in order to form a hook similar to the hook 134 of the corpse handling device 132.

It is intended that the corpse handling device 142 be utilized in combination with the corpse lifting bar 104 by attachment of the same at one end thereof. When the corpse handling device 142 is associated with the corpse lifting bar 104, one hook end 112 of the corpse lifting bar 104 is passed through the eyelets 150 and 160 which are aligned. The horizontal portion 154 is then passed between the neck or legs of a corpse and hooked into the eyelet 164 thereby the same is ready for raising a corpse at either the head or foot end thereof.

As is best illustrated in Figure 1, it will be readily seen how a corpse may be lifted from or deposited on the table 50. When it is desired to place a corpse on another table or remove the same from a bed or table, the table 50 may be omitted and front vertical uprights 32 folded to a horizontal position. The frame of the wheeled base 12 is low enough whereby the wheeled base may be moved into overlying relation with respect to a table, bed, cot, stretcher, etc., and raise a corpse to an elevated position for depositing upon another similar support or the table 50. Also, the corpse may be removed from a vehicle seat or the like by opening the door and moving the hoist construction 14 within the same and raising the corpse.

Referring now to Figures 4, and 6 in particular, it is seen that the hoist construction 14 is illustrated as being removed from the wheeled base 12 and supported in another manner. As is best illustrated in Figure 4, there is provided an overhead support in the form of a ceiling or the like 166 which has depending therefrom a plurality of brackets 168. The brackets have secured thereto, in spaced parallel relation a pair of oppositely facing L- shaped tracks 170 which combine to form a trackway.

There is provided a supporting frame in the form of a fiat plate 172 which has end portions bent upwardly to form vertical Wheel supports 174. Mounted on axles carried by each of the vertical Wheel supports 174 is a Wheel or roller 176 which engages each of the rails 170 for supporting the supporting frame formed by the plate 172.

Referring now to Figure 4 in particular, it will be seen that the forward end of the plate 172 is bent downwardly, rearwardly and then upwardly to form a hook 178, on each side of the horizontal leg 62 of the hoist construction 14. Each hook is engaged with a horizontal pin 180 carried by a U-shaped bracket 182 secured to the horizontal leg 62.

The rear portion of the hoist construction 14 is sup ported by a pair of spaced generally hook shaped brackets 184 which are secured to depending flanges 186 of the plate 172. The hook shaped brackets having legs in underlying relation with horizontal pins 188 extending outwardly from the rear portion of the horizontal leg 62.

it will be noted that pivotally connected to at least one of the hook shaped brackets 184 is a lever 190. The lever 190 is pivotally mounted at its mid-point on a pivot pin 192 and has one end thereof attached to a flexible member 194. The-flexible member-i194: isrprovided with a suit abldhandle 1 96 at. its. lower end, as is best illustrated i'n FigureAt Th other end of. the 1ever'1'90is' providedwithr a curved end 198 which engages the forwardrsurface of r the plate 60: When the flexiblemember 194' is" moved downwardly tor pivot the member190'; the curved end=198 thereof engages the plate 60: and urges the same rearwardly. This results in the rearward movement of the hoist constructidn fl witli respect to the plate 172 and the movement of? the pins off of the horizontal legs of thehook shaped brackets 184. The horizontal pins 180 are and urged npwardry ever the lip of the hook shaped brackets 178 and the hoist construction 14 is removed from supporting engagement with the plate 172.

It will be understood that when the hoist construction 14 is supported from the trackway, its function is the same as that when the same is supported by the wheel base 12. However, it will be readily apparent that it is not quite as maneuverable inasmuch as it is limited in movement to the position of the trackway.

While the hoist means, which is the subject of this invention, has been described with respect to the handling of a corpse, it will be readily apparent that the same is not limited in use. For example, the same may be utilized for lifting caskets in funeral homes and placing the same on a church truck. It may also be used as a truck for moving rough boxes and steel vaults. The use of the hoist construction may be put to a. good advantage in garages and the like for lifting transmissions, rear ends, radiators, and other medium weight units that are difficult to handle. The hoist construction may also be utilized on farms and in other places where a portable hoist is desirable.

The operation of this device will be understood from the foregoing description of the details thereof, taken in connection with the above recited objects and drawings. Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

Minor modifications of the device, varying in minor details from the embodiment of the device illustrated and described here, may be resorted to without departure from the spirit and scope of this invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Havingdescribed the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An article handling device comprising a movable support, a hoist, said hoist being detachably connected to said movable support for movement therewith, said movable support including an overhead frame, said frame being mounted on an overhead track, said hoist having an upper frame member detachably connected to said frame, means carried by said frame for moving said hoist out of supporting engagement therewith.

2. An article handling device comprising a frame, hoist means carried by said frame, a movable carriage supporting said frame, said frame including spaced horizontal pins, hook shaped fasteners depending from said carriage, said pins being removably seated in said fasteners, means carried by said carriage engageable with said frame for shifting said frame relative to said carriage to disengage said pins from said fasteners.

3. An article handling device comprising a frame, hoist means carried by said frame, a movable carriage supporting said frame, said frame including spaced horizontal pins, hook shaped fasteners depending from said carriage, said pins being removably seated in said fasteners, one of said fasteners being fixed, the other of said fasteners be ing pivotally mounted, means carried by said other fastener engageable with said frame to pivot said other fastener out of underlying engagement with its respective one of said pins.

4. An article handling device comprising a frame, hoist means carried by said frame, a movable carriage supporting said frame, said frame including spaced horizontal pins, hook shaped fasteners depending from said carriage,

said pins being removably seated in said fasteners, one

of said fasteners being fixed, the other of said fasteners being pivotally mounted, means carried by said other fastener engageable with said frame to pivot said other References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 245,502 Jacobson Aug. 9, 1881 8 Hang Feb. 16, Sasgen Jan. 23, Brown May 21, Seas'hole July 23, Ritter. May 20, Saborsky July' 9, Bennington Apr. 7, Ormsby Feb. 22, Pierce Aug. 29, 

